Highlanders probably have the most favourable start to their 2016 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) campaign compared to their potential title rivals because of the seemingly red carpet scheduling of matches laid out for them.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA/ KEVIN MAPASURE
Bosso, now under the tutelage of Dutchman Elroy Akbay, start off the season with an away match to Hwange, after which they will play four straight matches at Barbourfields against FC Platinum (home), Tsholotsho (away), Bulawayo City (away) and then Chapungu (home).
Tsholotsho and Bulawayo City host the Bulawayo giants at Barbourfields because of the crowd-pulling potential.
That fixture scheduling is likely to raise furore with their potential title rivals, particularly Dynamos.
It also means that Highlanders will play three of their last four matches at home, hosting both Bulawayo City and Tsholotsho, before a trip to Mandava to face FC Platinum and rounding off with a home match against Hwange.
DeMbare have a difficult start to their campaign, with an away match against champions Chicken Inn and they will also face both Highlanders and Caps United in their first eight matches that also include a trip to Bulawayo for a date against Tsholotsho.
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Dynamos’ new Portuguese coach Paulo Jorge Silva faces a defining moment in his first six matches, which kick off with a blockbuster contest with the Gamecocks.
The PSL season roars into life on April 2. Silva was appointed in January to lead the Harare giants to the championship after they were beaten to it by Chicken Inn last term.
After the trip to Bulawayo, they host Triangle, now under the guidance of David “Yogi” Mandigora, before embarking on another trip to Mutare for a date against unpredictable newcomers Mutare City Rovers.
A week later, the Harare derby against bitter city rivals Caps United awaits the Portuguese mentor. There is also a trip to Hwange Colliery to grapple with the following week.
Immediately after the Hwange trip, they have to deal with Norman Mapeza’s FC Platinum the following weekend to complete what appears an intimidating six-fixture programme.
Observers believe if the Portuguese mentor can win these first six matches of the campaign, he could as well go on to lift the ultimate prize of domestic football.
But on the other hand, if Dynamos do not enjoy a good start, he may not last long at the Harare giants, which probably has the most ruthless administration.
Silva described the fixtures as difficult and said he would have preferred to meet Chicken Inn and Caps United late in the season.
“It’s a difficult fixture against Chicken Inn in the first week and the Harare derby against Caps United in the fourth week,” he said.
“I would have preferred to play them late in the season. Caps United have been to Mozambique playing friendly matches and I am only going to Malawi tomorrow to play Big Bullets. Chicken Inn have been playing in Africa and I respect their coach. He is a very good coach. I respect all the teams, but Dynamos play to win. We have got to play to win.”
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas conceded that his side faced a tough opening fixture against the former champions.
“It’s a tough opening fixture for us. But a fixture is a fixture, whether it is the first game or last we still have to play Dynamos.
“We have been in the African Champions League, but that is not an advantage. There is still a month before we play them,” Antipas, whose side was booted out of the prestigious tournament by Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 on aggregate on Saturday, having edged them 1-0 in the first leg in Harare, said.
Caps United are also faced with two tough fixtures in the first four weeks.
They host Chapungu in the first week, before travelling to Ngezi Platinum in the second week.
They return to host Harare City the following week and then up next will be the Harare derby against Dynamos.
But the Green Machine coach, Lloyd Chitembwe remains calm.
“There are 16 teams in the PSL and we are going to play all the teams in the league, whether we like it or not,” he said. “We just hope to do well in all our games. So far, our preparations are going on well. We are doing well and are looking to compete.”
Caps will enjoy three straight weeks without travelling out of Harare, hosting Harare City, before the big Harare derby at Rufaro, culminating in the home match against Border Strikers.
